“A fantastically fun, HOT love story.” – Kendall Ryan, New York Times bestselling author All I want is to play hockey on the Ice Knights, instead, I’m in a viral video for all the wrong reasons and my mom–yes, my mom–has taken over my dating apps. Then, when I think it can’t get any worse, the fates deliver Zara Ambrose, a five-feet-nothing redhead with more freckles than inches and who’d … freckles than inches and who’d rather be anywhere other than on a date with me.
Now a bet with her friends and my PR nightmare have us both stuck in this go-on-five-dates-with-the-same-person hell situation. But if we band together, we can get the whole thing over with and go on with our lives. It’s perfect! No feelings. No future. No fuc– *ahem* fun. No naked fun.
What could go wrong? Nothing–as long as I remember the rules. Don’t notice the way she looks in a dress. Don’t react when she does that little shivery sigh thing whenever we touch. Don’t think about the fact that she’s never had a toe-curling orgasm that wasn’t self-delivered and just how badly I want to change that.
Five dates–that’s it–and then we go our separate ways. At least, that was the plan…
Each book in the Ice Knights series is STANDALONE:
* Parental Guidance
* Awk-Weird
* Loud Mouth
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This book is hilarious!! I loved Caleb in Tomboy and he didn’t disappoint in his own story. There were parts that were so heartbreaking.
I’ve listened to a few books that have a single narrator for dual POV and it’s not my favorite, although this narrator is great.
Sassy, sweet, sexy, and full of fun. Angst is high in this book where Caleb and Zara are forced together by a dating app, meddling parents and for Caleb, career clean-up. Neither wants the relationship but they make an agreement to help the other get what they need out of their fake dating, but neither expect to fall for the other or will they? With the help of a lovable Great Dane, best friends with good intentions, and tricky teammates that try the logical approach to getting through the mandatory five dates, can Caleb come to terms with his growing feelings for Zara? Will they be able to let go of their pasts to move forward? Is either of them willing to let go of the arrangement and give in to their budding feelings for the other?
This story has lots of heart and lots of fun! Strangers to partners to lovers to enemies to … it has it all
Caleb and Zara enter an agreement for five dates arranged by their parents. They each have their reasons in the beginning to make them do it. There is plenty of heat and lots of laughs through their story. Zara is so much smaller than Caleb’s pro-hockey physique which leads to some interesting comments. Caleb grows and develops as a team leader through their story. He learns to be more considerate of how others feel and resets his own priorities. Zara has to learn to take chances and trust Caleb, which is not easy for her. I love their chemistry and the friendship they develop through vulnerability with each other. Their dates are really fun to read about. I would be remiss is I did not mention the fun that her dog, Anchovy, brings to the story. This was a very enjoyable read that is written in third person from dual POV.
Okay, I’m going to be real honest here. A hockey player having to fix his image, a dating app with parent involvement, and two adults that don’t even want to be on the app? I. AM. HERE. FOR. IT. Then I got to the female lead and PUMP THE BREAKS, a miniature artisan. Um what? How was I going to get invested in this randomness? Then all of a sudden I was half way through this book wanting to be friends with Zara, and completely and utterly invested in both her and Caleb. Avery Flynn’s hilarious writing pulled me all the way in and I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN.
I was cry-laughing at Zara’s Dad’s antics when they were first being interviewed on the morning show. I loved it. This is a rom-com at its finest. Not only was I laughing, but I was also feeling the emotions of the characters. I cannot say enough about this book, and I’m so excited for it to be out in the world for everyone to enjoy!
Thank you to Social Butterfly PR, Entangled, and Avery Flynn for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
What a laugh out loud read! I loved Zara’s honesty and how much Caleb immediately liked her for it.
They have some amazingly sexy moments.
Damn, if him bringing her chocolate and wine during her monthly wasn’t romantic as hell, I don’t know what is.
Total book hangover from this one.
What a fun read! I’m a sucker for romcoms and all things sports so when Parental Guidance by Avery Flynn was chosen as our April #COYER Book Club read I knew I had to read it. This is the first book in her series Ice Knights which is a spinoff of two series Harbor City and The Hartigans. I have not read those, but plan to now that I’ve read this one. Parental Guidance is an unconventional romance featuring two opposites that have more in common than they realize.
The book opens with Caleb Stuckey, a defenseman for Harbor City’s Ice Knights, and he’s been called to the coach’s office, somewhere you don’t want to be. An unfortunate incident with some rookie players caught on camera has caused a PR nightmare for the team, and the coach places the responsibility squarely on Caleb’s shoulders. To fix it, the coach, their PR rep, and Caleb’s mom have come up with a solution. Caleb is going to join Bramble, a new dating app that gives the parents control, and do PR videos with the date his mom chooses after each of their first five dates.
Poor Caleb! I adore him. He is genuinely an all-around good guy. He worked hard for the position he has on the team, and this has thrown him. He isn’t a relationship kind of guy. The last thing Caleb wants going into preseason is dating a woman he didn’t choose. However he’ll do what is necessary for his fellow teammates. Caleb wants to fit in after enduring years of teasing while in school. He has dyslexia, which made him a target when he was young. This anxiety still follows him as an adult which made me want to reach through the pages and hug him.
Zara Ambrose is a miniatures artisan and conned into joining Bramble by her best friend and dad. She’s a workaholic who doesn’t trust easily. She has no time for men or dating, especially when growing up she couldn’t rely on her own father. With her own issues to work out and a big auction to work on, Zara has zero time for a real relationship. At first, I was a little concerned that I wouldn’t like Zara. She comes across harsh at first, but I quickly fell in love with her snark.
Zara and Caleb strike a deal during their first date and set up boundaries for their Bramble dating. Caleb needs her to help the public forget the viral video, and Zara needs her cobwebs cleared if you catch my meaning Rules are meant to be broken, and I love reading their interactions. The chemistry between the characters bounces from steamy to sweet and back again. I really rooted for them right from the start. Flynn’s writing style drew me into the story, and I really enjoyed the dual POV.
Overall, I really enjoyed Parental Guidance. The unique circumstances the characters find themselves in and how they resolve it left me smiling. This was my first Avery Flynn book, and it won’t be my last. I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys a little comedy with their romance.
I just loved the chemistry between Caleb and Zara and the parental interviews had me rolling with laughter!
This was such a fun, steamy read! The title refers to the fact that Zara and Caleb are matched up on a dating app, but their parents were involved in the choice of who the match would be. The parents were still kind of around after that, but not a lot.
The story involves Zara and Caleb agreeing to go out on five dates and then going their separate ways. Zara wants the cobwebs cleaned out of her vagina, however, and Caleb may be just the guy to do it. What happens when you’ve promised a five and gone, but after the fourth date you don’t want to let go? That is their dilemma. Adorable story.
I thought this was such a fun book! You could see the attraction between the hero and the heroine right away, which I thought was so fun, and I love how family dynamics play into the romance as well. I’ve always enjoyed Avery’s stories!
Caleb is on the first line of the Ice Knights and he really wants that A for his his jersey but he has been caught on video and now needs to clean up his reputation. His mom gets involved in the form of taking his dating life hostage! What could go wrong with that? Yea, that is a whole lot of fun and so many laughs. Add in a feisty, petite red head with a giant Great Dane and we have an winner for this author! From beginning to end I was enjoying myself and didn’t want it to end.
A fun and unique twist on romance in the era of dating apps. The story has the premise of using a dating app, but mom and dad get to have a say throughout the dating process.
Neither character wants to be part of this app, but for their own reason they accept. They quickly release that in their first date and strike an agreement, but the longer they spend together the more they realize they actually do have feelings for each other. Along with their relationship we learn about their families and jobs. I enjoyed the detail given in building this world and characters. The addition of Anchovy was genius and he sounds adorable!
For hockey fans or anyone who likes a light hearted and well developed romance, I would recommend checking this story out! Thanks NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the chance to read this book and share my opinions!
I thoroughly enjoyed this! It was cute, it was funny, and sexy where it needed to be.
Zara…such a sassy and snarky, red-headed spitfire…not afraid to tell it like it is.
Caleb…so sexy, caring, looks at the bright side of everything… and he says the swooniest things!
Both of them sign up for the Bramble dating app.
Their parents get to choose who they go on five dates with.
Five dates.
That’s it.
Five and done.
Both are using those 5 dates as a way to get something… not a relationship though. No way. Not gonna happen.
Their relationship was adorable to watch. Neither really cared too much in the beginning, only wanting to get the five dates over with. Get what they needed. They even made rules.
Rules schmules.
Little did they know, their connection was strong, the chemistry present and sizzling. They both fought hard against it.
Watching these two act like they didn’t want each other was fun, watching them fake their nonchalantness was entertaining. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
This was my first read from the author (shame on me!) and I can’t wait to read more. Reading this one definitely makes me want to go and read The Hartigans Series, and it most definitely makes me want to read the next book, Awk-Weird!
Loved this laugh, cry and grin till your face hurts crazy fun adventure filled with engaging charters, witty one liners, heartwarming twists and undeniable passion…… was a excellent way to spend a relaxing evening (avoiding people….) curled up and cozy. Loved this thrilling series and looking forward to more.
Saving his teammate
Caleb made a mistake and now has to pay. He has to go on TV with his date to be interviewed after each date. Only problem is his mother gets to pick out his date from a dating service. It’s only five dates. Zara’s friend wants her to get a life outside her work. Signing her up for a dating service is her solution. Zara finds her date is a hockey player. It’s only five dates. She and Caleb set the ground rules, one is not to get serious. What could these two have in common? Throw in an overly affection dog, interfering parents and friends, mash potatoes and pizza and their own fears of letting go of their insecurities. Can their relationship grow to love? And what about that fifth date? A laugh out loud and cry a little romance.
I could not put Parental Guidance down!! Zara and Caleb’s story started in a way I’d never read before and I’m HERE for it. I LIVE for a good fake relationship and let me tell you, THIS is one of the best I’ve read. I love the interaction between Zara and Caleb, the slow burn was on point and their chemistry was off the charts. This book is an excellent start to a new series and I cannot wait for more!!
Zara and Caleb were a super cute couple who met on a dating app. While Caleb’s mother picked out Zara’s profile, it was Caleb who ultimately made Zara fall in love and get a happily ever after. Super cute story in a fun world!
Love this fabulous sports romance! Great characters, fun situations, and just the right amount of steam make for another fantastic read from Avery Flynn.
5 Big Stars! Parental Guidance was so much fun to read! I love Avery Flynn and this book was everything I hope to find in her stories and more!
This story is the perfect combination of sweet moments, funny moments and heartbreaking ones too as Caleb and Zara navigate their way through dating each other and Anchovy’s antics were the frosting on the cake!
Their parents made the selection of who they would date from a new dating app. They agreed on five dates with no commitments and no relationship, but life had other plans. It turns out that these two are perfect for each other!
This is a fantastic start to the Ice Knights series!
3.5-4 stars.
We have Caleb and Zara, he’s a very much in trouble hockey player and she’s a miniature artisan trying to make it in that world.
They both get together through a dating app (where parents choose your date), where he needs to prove he’s a nice guy to women; and she takes the dare from a friend, lol.
These guys just want to go with the flow and simply date, but they realize they have a lot in common and it gets more difficult by the day to want to end this whole thing. They have to have 5 dates, and by date 4 neither wants to end things, but they have to.
Anyway, this was a really fun read, their dates were entertaining and the parents were funny too (OMG her Dad, lol). They were both way more than people gave them credit for and I was happy they saw that in each other.
A fun start of a new series.
*Thank you to the author for providing a copy for which I’m giving my honest opinion*
A witty and entertaining story. Caleb and Zara attend their first date vowing to complete the five dates and then moving on. Neither were prepared for the alternative.
This is a very sweet, heartwarming story with some wonderful humour. Great characters, the best of course…..Anchovy the Great Dane 🙂